Spanish Joint Major (ELJ1)

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The BA in Spanish is aimed at students who wish to develop an understanding of the Hispanic world through its language, culture, literature, and contact with its people. We educate students to broaden their language competence and their analytical thinking skills to be able to understand and feel comfortable contributing to a global and multicultural society or to pursue graduate studies.



We value and encourage our students to be active, reflective, autonomous learners, and to avail of the opportunity to spend a year in a Spanish-speaking country as an essential part of their learning experience. In the course of their studies we develop confident, flexible and creative students who can communicate in Spanish, use critical and analytical skills to build their understanding of literary, cultural and social issues relevant to the Hispanic world, are sensitive to an array of academic, moral and philosophical issues and are predisposed to life-long learning.



We aim to provide a learning environment that encourages students to use and develop their language competence and their cultural knowledge of the Hispanic world.



The programme aims are delivered through lectures, interactive language classes, tutorials and the use of the virtual learning environment. As a result of this approach, learning activities and assessment approaches include individual and group projects and assignments, oral presentations, debates, on-line discussions, and reflective learning.


1 - Develop the capacity to search for and evaluate appropriate material in order to conduct informed research about the Hispanic world.
2 - Develop an ability to carry out and apply appropriate research principles and practices in the design, development and analysis of academic work in the Humanities.
3 - Demonstrate an advanced competence (C1 CEFR) in the Spanish language (reading, writing, listening, speaking), including a broad awareness of syntax, register and style, and the ability to mediate between English and Spanish.
4 - Construct, support and communicate logical arguments to demonstrate knowledge and critically evaluate Hispanic cultural production in its varied forms (poetry, prose, paintings, film, media, etc.).
5 - Critically analyze current affairs in the Hispanic world to understand and explain their links with historical events.
6 - Be able to learn independently and to make appropriate use of digital technologies to support their learning and research experiences.
7 - Develop the ability to work as part of a team to design, develop and communicate ideas in clear, fluent and accurate spoken and written Spanish or English.
8 - Understand the importance of academic integrity to ensure that ideas are ethically communicated in an academic context.
9 - Understand the ethical implications of ideas, communications, and actions when working individually and when completing group projects.
10 - Demonstrate an awareness of cultural difference and the value of interaction and dialogue with other cultures.
11 - Develop an understanding of the Hispanic culture and way of life through a period of time spent in a Spanish-speaking country.
12 - Apply academic knowledge and key skills to express informed opinions on cultural, political and social issues of the Hispanic world and make a contribution to the development of society.
Our graduates are flexible, articulate and eminently employable people who enjoy careers in:

  • Civil Service
  • Journalism
  • Banking and business
  • Teaching
  • Tourism

    They are also eligible to apply for the MA in Modern Languages and other taught master's in the School of Languages & Literatures and College of Arts & Celtic Studies. MLitt and PhD programmes are also available.
  • Stage 2

    Students MUST pass Level 2 language modules before taking Level 3 language modules. Students MUST complete ALL core modules at Level 2. In addition, students MUST complete THREE Level 2 option modules.

    Stage 3

    Students must complete all core modules and three option modules.
    Students must pass SPAN30010 Spanish Language IIIa and SPAN30020 Spanish Language IIIb in order to receive a BA degree with Spanish.

    Stage 4

    Students must complete all core modules and three option modules.
    Students must pass SPAN30010 Spanish Language IIIa and SPAN30020 Spanish Language IIIb in order to receive a BA degree with Spanish.

    Module ID Module Title Trimester Credits
    Stage 2 Options - A)2OF:
    Students must pass the relevant level 2 core language modules before being allowed to register for level 3 language modules.
    Students who took SPAN10140 and SPAN10150 must register to and pass SPAN20230 and SPAN20060. Students who took SPAN10010 and SPAN10050 at Stage 1 must register to and pass SPAN20080 and SPAN20060.
         
    SPAN20080 Spanish Language II a Autumn 5
    SPAN20230 Spanish ex ab-initio IIa Autumn 5
    SPAN20060 Spanish Language II b Spring 5
    Stage 2 Options - A)2OF:
    Students must pass the relevant level 2 core language modules before being allowed to register for level 3 language modules.
    Students who took SPAN10140 and SPAN10150 must register to and pass SPAN20230 and SPAN20060. Students who took SPAN10010 and SPAN10050 at Stage 1 must register to and pass SPAN20080 and SPAN20060.
         
    Stage 2 Options - B)3OF:
    Students must complete three level 2 option modules.
         
    SPAN20260 Modern Spanish Theatre Autumn 5
    SPAN20270 Indigeneity in Latin America Autumn 5
    SPAN20280 Introduction to Catalonia Autumn 5
    SPAN20200 The Cinema of Pedro Almodóvar Spring 5
    SPAN20240 Latin American Culture I Spring 5
    SPAN20250 Crime, Passion & Mystery in Latin American Noir Spring 5
    Stage 2 Options - B)3OF:
    Students must complete three level 2 option modules.
         
    Stage 2 Options - D)MIN0OF:
    This module is the equivalent of an elective. You take it instead of one of your Stage 2 electives. Please make sure that you have selected the correct number of programme options.
         
    HUM20010 Career Readiness for Arts Autumn 5
    Stage 2 Options - D)MIN0OF:
    This module is the equivalent of an elective. You take it instead of one of your Stage 2 electives. Please make sure that you have selected the correct number of programme options.
         
    Stage 3 Core Modules
         
    SPAN30010 Spanish Language III a Autumn 5
    SPAN30020 Spanish Language III b Spring 5
    Stage 3 Core Modules
         
    Stage 3 Options - A)MIN3OF:
    Students must complete three level 3 option modules.
         
    SPAN30070 Latin American Literature II: To the Boom and Beyond Autumn 5
    SPAN30220 Identity, Sex & Sexuality in Post-Revolutionary Cuban Culture Autumn 5
    SPAN30270 Latin American Social Thought Autumn 5
    SPAN30200 Surrealism in Spain and Mexico Spring 5
    SPAN30230 Historical Memory in Spain: 21st Century Narrative and Film Spring 5
    SPAN30280 Women's Life Writing in Spain Spring 5
    Stage 3 Options - A)MIN3OF:
    Students must complete three level 3 option modules.
         
    Stage 4 Core Modules
         
    SPAN30010 Spanish Language III a Autumn 5
    SPAN30020 Spanish Language III b Spring 5
    Stage 4 Core Modules
         
    Stage 4 Options - A)MIN3OF:
    Students must complete three level 3 option modules.
         
    SPAN30070 Latin American Literature II: To the Boom and Beyond Autumn 5
    SPAN30220 Identity, Sex & Sexuality in Post-Revolutionary Cuban Culture Autumn 5
    SPAN30270 Latin American Social Thought Autumn 5
    SPAN30200 Surrealism in Spain and Mexico Spring 5
    SPAN30230 Historical Memory in Spain: 21st Century Narrative and Film Spring 5
    SPAN30280 Women's Life Writing in Spain Spring 5
    Stage 4 Options - A)MIN3OF:
    Students must complete three level 3 option modules.
         
    See the UCD Assessment website for further details

    Module Weighting Info  
      Award GPA
    Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
    BHACS001 Stage 3 - 50.00%
    Stage 2 - 50.00%
    Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

    3.68

    4.20

    Second Class Honours, Grade 1

    3.08

    3.67

    Second Class Honours, Grade 2

    2.48

    3.07

    Pass

    2.00

    2.47

    BHACS023 Stage 3 - 70.00%
    Stage 2 - 30.00%
    Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

    3.68

    4.20

    Second Class Honours, Grade 1

    3.08

    3.67

    Second Class Honours, Grade 2

    2.48

    3.07

    Pass

    2.00

    2.47

    BHACS027 Stage 4 - 50.00%
    Stage 3 - 30.00%
    Stage 2 - 20.00%
    Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

    3.68

    4.20

    Second Class Honours, Grade 1

    3.08

    3.67

    Second Class Honours, Grade 2

    2.48

    3.07

    Pass

    2.00

    2.47


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